End of another 6 weeks

Well this is the end of the second six weeks and there is only 7 more school days til Thanksgiving break! woohoo! As this six weeks draws to a close I reflect on the progression of my kids, and by kids I mean my students. I have some awesome students this year! I am proud of each of them, but along with the awesome come challenges. I gained a student at the beginning of the six weeks just as my kids were becoming aware of a routine and my expectations. This particular student gained the attention of my class very quickly. He is a year older and he is quite a bit taller than the others. The first day he walked into my room, one of my other boys, we will call him Doe, said " Wow your big!" And from that day forward he has been a student that has stood out. Unfortunatly not for good reasons. That same kid that was in awe of his gradeur has been following literally every step this student, lets call him Joe, makes. If Joe jumps, Doe jumps. If Joe spits, Doe spits. If Joe jumps off the top of the jungle gym, Doe jumps off the top fo the jungle gym. (True Story) The behavior of both is really effecting the other kiddos. I feel sorry for the ones that have to hear the constant reprimands that I make to these disobedient students. My only hope is that one day they will wake up and realize that I do care for them and only want the best for them.
When we were little we never said "I don't care" to the teacher when she punished us, which I hear frequently these days. I know that dynamics in todays families are very different. I think that a lot of families are missing authority figures and stability or consistancy. I fear for some of these kids that spend their time trying to get into trouble. The sad part is that if they put any ounce of that trouble making energy into being a leader, they would rock! My hope is for any hint of progression out of these kids. We will see!